Statistics Canada says off-reserve Aboriginal employment was up by 5,900, or 17.4%, last month from February of last year.

That marks nine consecutive months of year-over-year increases in that category.

The federal agency also reports that Aboriginal youth employment in the province was up by 1,400, or 17.1%, which represents four consecutive months of year-over-year increases.

But the Opposition NDP notes the First Nations unemployment rate in the province is still 20.5% — an increase from the 13.9% rate at the end of 2007.

The StatsCan report also says employment in Saskatchewan rose to a record high for the month of February with 521,800 employed last month.

The number of people working grew by 6,100 compared to a year ago.

The province also set new highs for the month in full-time jobs and the size of its labour force.

Saskatchewan’s unemployment rate in February was 5.0%, tied with Alberta for the lowest in the country.  The national unemployment rate was 7.4%.

But the NDP says it’s frustrating to see that Alberta added 85,700 full-time jobs over the last year, while Saskatchewan added just 3,700 full-time positions.